Never heard of Viognier? Don’t worry, neither have your parents or even the novice bartender. Most commonly found in white blends, these grapes produce a rich, faintly sweet white wine that has catapulted from relative obscurity to center stage in the past ten years. Its rarity can be attributed to the grape’s temperamental attitude; it demands very specific growing conditions, often resulting in low yields and only grows reliably in the Rhône valley of France and certain parts of northern California (though recently vintners in Australia, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Spain have taken a stab at cultivating it too). In addition to a full body and complex character, this varietal is also noted for vanilla, floral, butter, spice and peach notes.  It is generally low in acidity so if you usually prefer sharper wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, it may not be for you.

Because of the fullness of Viognier’s flavor, it pairs well with strong foods like aged cheeses, pork, Mexican or spicy Asian cuisine.  Drink it young rather than opting for an older vintage lest the fruit flavors fade over time serve slightly cooler than room temperature to bring out its robust taste. Looking to splurge? Try a bottle from the Condrieu region on France, which is known for consistently producing excellent quality wines made from 100% Viognier grapes. Such bottles may be hard to come by, and as such demand high prices: good quality bottles from this area under $30 are hard to find. If you’re interested in sampling a blend – which are far the easier to track down – go for Treana White (53% Viognier, 47% Marsanne), or for a flavorful red blend pick up 90 + Cellar’s Shiraz/Viognier offering. – Diana Kearney